March 13, 2010 brings a timetable revision by the Japan Railways Group (JR). Some of the changes relevant to foreign tourists and other railway related news are summarized below:
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Access to Narita Airport (1): Narita Express Improvements
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New train sets have started to replace the first generation sets on the Narita Express as of last year, improving comfort and convenience of the popular airport train. Furthermore, the number of services will be increased as of March 13, 2010, and most trains to/from Shinjuku and Ikebukuro will newly also stop at Shibuya Station, formerly served by only a very small number of trains.
The new Narita Express train set
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Access to Narita Airport (2): New Skyliner to open on July 17
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On July 17, 2010, the "New Skyliner" is scheduled to start operation and provide a new, faster train connection between central Tokyo (Keisei-Ueno and Nippori Stations) and Narita Airport. Trains along the new line will be running at up to 160 km/h, and take as littles as 36 minutes to travel from Nippori Station to the airport, compared to 50-60 minutes currently required by the fastest trains.
The one way fare for the New Skyliner will be 2400 yen, more expensive than the old Skyliner, but cheaper than the Narita Express. There will be up to three trains per hour. Limited express trains will also operate along the new line (1200 yen one way, 1-2 trains/hour). Furthermore, limited express trains will continue running along the old Keisei Main Line up to three times per hour (1000 yen one way). The current Skyliner, however, will cease operation.
Map of New Skyliner and other airport trains:
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More night trains to be discontinued
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The dying of overnight trains is continuing due to competition by cheaper highway buses and low domestic airfares and by the aging of the train sets. The latest victims are the Hokuriku limited express and Noto express, both of which have been providing nightly service between Tokyo and Kanazawa. They will be discontinued from March 13, although the Noto express will continue to operate as a temporary service on selected dates during high seasons.
A night train at Osaka Station
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Reduction of Hikari Railstar services between Osaka and Fukuoka
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The number of Hikari Railstar trains will be decreased between Shin-Osaka and Hakata Station as of March 13, so that during most hours of the day there will be only one train per hour. On the other hand, the number of direct nozomi trains, that run all the way between Tokyo and Hakata, is increased to three per hour, and more of the new N700 train sets are introduced to nozomi services.
Hikari Rail Star
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Sagano Line double track construction completed
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As of March 13, 2010, the JR Sagano Line between Kyoto and Sonobe Stations, which provides tourists with fast access to Arashiyama, will finally become fully double track, resulting in decreased travel time and proneness to delays. Furthermore, the number of trains will be increased slightly.
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IC Card News
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From March 13, 2010, all three prepaid IC cards of the Fukuoka region (JR Kyushu's Sugoca, Nishitetsu's nimoca and the city's Hayakaken) will become mutually compatible. Furthermore, JR East's Suica card will also become valid on all trains, subways and buses in the Fukuoka area, while Sugoca will become valid on JR trains in the Greater Tokyo, Niigata and Sendai areas.
Map of IC cards by JR companies:
Also from March 13, JR East's Suica, JR Tokai's Toica and JR West's Icoca, which are already mutually compatible for paying train fares, will also become mutually compatible for payments at over 60,000 shops and restaurants. So far, Suica cards, for example, could not be used to pay at kiosks in Osaka that accept payment by Icoca.
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